24 (TV Series)

Day 2: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (2002)

Dennis Haysbert: President David Palmer

Photos 

Quotes 

• Eric Rayburn : [Referring to preventing the bomb from exploding in CTU]  sir we did everything we could

  President David Palmer : If only had Bauer called earlier, just a few minutes. We could've saved those people

  Eric Rayburn : Until we know more, I'd like to go over my evacuation plan for LA, it's on your desk

  President David Palmer : [Before leaving the conference room]  I'll call you when I'm ready to meet on it

  Eric Rayburn : Thank you sir

  Lynne Kresge : [Talking privately]  those people are dead because of you. I wanted to tell the President

  Eric Rayburn : But you didn't

  Lynne Kresge : Because of you. You made sure that I couldn't get through to him

  Eric Rayburn : As far as I know Bauer never called. You were the one who spoke to him

  Lynne Kresge : Are you blackmailing me?

  Eric Rayburn : I'm protecting the President. Whatever you know or whatever you think you know, I suggest you keep it to yourself

• Eric Rayburn : [after watching news coverage of the bombing at CTU]  as far as I'm concerned this tips in favor of the evacuation

  President David Palmer : I assume you've all read Eric's report recommending the evacuation of Los Angeles?

  Eric Rayburn : The CTU bombing is just the beginning: it's only a matter of time before the questions become rumors and the rumors set off a mass panic

  Lynne Kresge : Wouldn't the evacuation itself cause panic?

  Eric Rayburn : We can do this discreetly in stages. We've prepared "cover stories."

  Lynne Kresge : [Sarcastically]  that's a pretty tough sell for nine million people

  Eric Rayburn : General Preston assures me that the military can contain any civilian unrest

  Lynne Kresge : "Contain" rather sounds like a euphemism not to mention the Constitutional issues

  Eric Rayburn : I don't claim for this to be a Cakewalk

  Lynne Kresge : [Leans forward]  there's a practical issue that I don't see being addressed here

  Eric Rayburn : What's that?

  Lynne Kresge : Our intelligence is specific about this nuclear device being detonated sometime today. Now your report says it'll take at least one week for this evacuation

  Eric Rayburn : It's my job to protect as many citizens of the United States as I can. If I can get twenty percent of the population outside the blast radius, that's a win

  Lynne Kresge : We don't even know where the bomb is. Where do you suggest we begin this evacuation?

  Eric Rayburn : My staff has ranked ten high probability targeted areas...

  President David Palmer : [Interrupts him]  that's not good enough. Look I realize you've only had a short time to prepare this. But I have some real reservations

  Eric Rayburn : Bottom line Mr. President it protects you politically. If the bomb goes off...

  President David Palmer : [Interrupts him]  if the bomb goes off, we'll have more important concerns than my reelection

  President David Palmer : [to Lynn]  do you have anything else to add?

  Lynne Kresge : No Sir

  President David Palmer : [to his senior staff]  then we're done here: until we have reliable intelligence about where the bomb is located, there will be no evacuation

  President David Palmer : [to Lynn]  let General Davos know that I'm ready for him

  Lynne Kresge : Yes Sir

• Lynne Kresge : [while handing him a file folder]  Sir, this is Jenny's statement to the press about the CTU bombing: I took a quick pass but we can go over it when you get a chance alright?

  President David Palmer : [as she's leaving the room]  were you ever going to tell me? About the thirty minutes Jack Bauer called and the time you finally warned CTU. I am the President of the United States, did you think I wouldn't find out? What possible reason could you have had for keeping this information from me?

  Lynne Kresge : Sir, I tried to tell you

  President David Palmer : Not hard enough

  Lynne Kresge : Sir, when Jack Bauer called you were with the press corp. I desperately tried to get a message to you

  President David Palmer : Good. Now after we had found out CTU had been hit you still kept from me the fact that you knew thirty minutes earlier

  Lynne Kresge : [Shaking her head]  Sir, you're right. There is no excuse, none

  President David Palmer : After Jack Bauer called, did you tell anyone else? You told Rayburn didn't you? And he was the one who wanted you to keep it from me. That's why you two were arguing before

  Lynne Kresge : Sir, I think under the circumstances, I think it would be best I tender my resignation... .

  President David Palmer : [Interrupts her]  I'll decide what's best

  Lynne Kresge : Yes Sir

  President David Palmer : As much as I appreciate the gesture, I don't have time to appease your guilty conscience. I still trust you and I still trust that you will tell me everything that happened

• President David Palmer : [Firing him]  you're out Eric: effective immediately

  Eric Rayburn : Sir, if this is about...

  President David Palmer : [Interrupts him]  you know exactly what this is about. You lied to me

  Eric Rayburn : Is that what Lynn told you?

  President David Palmer : Lynn didn't have to tell me anything

  Eric Rayburn : You can't dismiss me now Sir, not now. Not in the middle of a crisis. You need me here

  President David Palmer : I need someone I can trust

  Eric Rayburn : I made a decision you couldn't make

  President David Palmer : I'm the only one who could make it. Now twenty-seven people are dead

  Eric Rayburn : Collateral damage Sir. Regrettable but necessary so Jack Bauer can get to Joseph Wald

  President David Palmer : [Signaling to the Secret Service agent to enter the room]  get him out of here. Mr. Armus is waiting for him